Combined holder and dispenser for tube contained materials



Feb. 10, 1953 E. w. swAN 2,627,999

COMBINED HOLDER AND DISPENSER RoR TUBE CONTAINED MATERIALS Filed'April 22. 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Il 'Ill www;

Feb. 10, 1953 v E. w. swAN 2,627,999

COMBINED HOLDER AND DISPENSER FOR TUBE .CONTAINED MATERIALS Filed April 22, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR. kA/tsr WWAA/ ay jaar/ze] Patented Feb. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED HOLDER AND DISPENSER FOR TUBE CONTAINED MATERIALS Ernest W. Swan, Long Beach, Calif.

Application April 22, 1949, Serial No. 89,116

Claims. 1

This invention relates to and has for an object the provision of a dispenser for toothpaste, shaving cream and various other pastes and creams which are usually dispensed by users by progressively collapsing the iiexible metal tubes in which such elements are contained for distribution to users. Due to the thinness of the usual me-tal tubes containing pastes and creams, the tubes are frequently punctured by carelessness of users and also by the uneven application of pressure to the tubes as they are slightly collapsed at local points in order to discharge requisite quantities of the paste or cream for use at different times.

Modern collapsible tubes for containing dispensable paste, cream, paints and other similarly dispensable materials are formed with a conical head in which there is a central aperture through which the materials are dispensed, `a detachable cap threaded onto a nipple of the head for closing said aperture, a tubular body of substantially circular cross section when filled, and -a flat tail extended diametrically across the bottom of the tube.

It is customary to progressively collapse the tube by rolling the relatively stiff tail on the body of the tube in the direction of the outlet, thereby forcing the material outwardly of the `outlet When the cap is removed and correspondingly displacing the retained material gradually toward the outlet. Thus, as the quantity of material in the tube is gradually reduced by use, the tail/forms a roll of gradually increasing size and gradually 'increasing number of convolutions while the tube between the head and tail becomes gradually shorter but of theoretically normal diameter and configuration.

In practice, however, due to carelessness 'and abuse, the tubes are unevenly rolled Vas the volume of paste or cream decreases from use, the tubes become fractured or punctured, occasioning leakage of the materials from the bodies of the tubes, and rarely, if ever, is it possible to expel all of the tube contents.

It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to provide a protective holder and dispenser for a tube of paste, cream or the like Which will constantly maintain a. Wholly or partly lled tube in position for use and will protect the tube against damage until it is completely evacuated of its contents.

A further object is to provide' a dispenser which includes a cylindrical body adapted to receive and support a. lled ltube of material against accidental displacement therefrom and with its oute let extended for dispensing the contents, to-

' different other forms of extensible body A of circular cross section and adapted to expelled from the outlet in the head.

A still further object is to provide a dispensing means embodying a composite plunger initially arranged with its members nested for partially collapsing the tube and capable of rearrangement in tandem fashion so as to elongate the plunger for completing collapse of the tube when the plunger is interposed between an operating member and the tail of the tube whereby the container tube may be completely collapsed and evacuated of its contents through a minimum adjustment range of the operating member. t

Other objects include: provision of a dispenser capable of use on successive tubes of material, formed preferably of a transparent plastic material so that the tubes of paste and the like held therein may be identified visibly through the dispenser bodies, of light weight, durable but simple structure, economical, efcient and sanitary.

I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention together with certain modifications thereof in the accompanying drawing, subject, however, to further modification, within the scope ofthe appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. In said drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the combined holder and dispenser with a completely filled tube of dispensable material borne therebyinreadiness for use;

Fig. 2 is a'longitudinal sectional view'o'i the same showing one form of dispenser in initial contracted position; t Y

Fig. 3 is a ksectional view of the dispenser in the plane, of Fig. 2 butwith the dispenser in extended position as when lthe, tube of material has been partly evacuated of its contents;

Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, cross sectional views of the dispenser on lines 4 4 of Fig. 2 and 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a form of extensible dispenser plunger shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a totallyy collapsed and evacuated tube; Y

Figs. 8 and 9 are', respectively, exploded views of plungers capable of use in the dispenser.

Broadly, a combined holder and dispenser embodying my improvements includes a tubular removably support a tube T of paste, cream or the like, a substantially elongated cap C adjustably held on body A and constituting an operating member, and an extensible plunger including members P and P' (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6), P1 and Pz (Fig. 8), and Pa and P4 (Fig. 9).

Body A has an inwardly turned annular ilange I at its upper or forward end adapted to be engaged by the conical end 2 of tube T and a central aperture 3 through which the outlet nipple 4 and closure cap 5 of the tube T extend, the rear end of the body being open so that tube T may be inserted in or removed from the body therethrough. The rear end portion of body A is formed with a comparatively short externally threaded section 6 adapted toA receive the internally threaded barrel 'I of operating cap C in order that the cap may be adjusted longitudinally and telescopically over the body to the extent of the full length of the'barrel orsuntil' the Vend 8 of the cap engages the rear end of the body, at which point tube T will` b'e'about one-half--collapsed, as indicated by broken lines `in Fig. 2.

The plunger formed of mating members P and Pr is adapted to be `initially held inl cap'zC with the head 9 of member P engaging end 8 of the cap and the member P telescoping member P and its closed end I0 engaged with :the tail end II of tube 'I'. Members P and P areof generally circular cross section, member P having a .cir- :.f

cular wall I2 with a pair of diametrically spaced longitudinal ribs I3, I3 extending throughout the length of wall I2 and corresponding arcuate recesses Ill,l I4 between saidI ribs. Member .P has longitudinal flutes I5, Iiiy and arcuate segments I6, I6 between said nutes so that'as shown in Fig. 2 the members P and P may'telescopically be held in cap C with ribs I3, I3 seated in utes I5, l5, and segments IG, I6 seated in recesses I4,

I4- and thereby interlockingithe `plunger memt bers against relative rotation but permitting relative longitudinal movement thereof. At-the beginning of a dispensing operation from a filled tube T, as in Figg2, the head 9 of member P' engages end 8 of cap C andthe rearend of member P engages head 9 of member P.

As cap C is Yscrewed onto body section 6, pressure is applied by end I0 of memberP tothe tail II of tube T, the ends ofthe normallyfiat tail having bent inwardly over the rear of the ...f

tube so as to clear the wall of body A and render the ensuing collapse ofthetubemore easy and progressively uniform and compact.

It may be noted that the diameters of the cylinder I2 of plunger member P and that ofA head 9 of plunger member P' are suiciently less than the internal diameter of body Ato permit-free movement of the -plunger inthe body. When tube- T has been collapsedtov approximately one half of its possible extentithe. end 8 of cap. C will abut the rear end of body A -and in order to effect further collapse of said tube, it becomes necessary to remove the cap and plunger members from the body and lengthen the plunger by detaching members P and P', relatively rotating said members one quarterof a revolution and inserting member P in the open endy of member P but with the ribs I3, I3 longitudinally aligned with segments I6, I6. Said segments have notches Il, I'I at .their inner ends for'receiving the end portions of said ribs and the bottoms of the notches engage'the ends of theribs and thus support member P' in extended position on member P. Wheni thus positioned, the plunger members are reinserted in cap C with head 9 against end S of the cap, the cap is again screwed onto section 6 of body A until end I0 of member P engages the partly collapsed tube T, and subsequent dispensing operations may be efiected at will until the tube T is completely evacuated of its contents and is oompactly formed as shown in Fig. 7.

The form of plunger shown in Fig. S includes members Pi and P2 of cylindrical cross section arranged for telescopic connection, member Pi having a closed end I8 and the inner member having a closed end I9. Member P2 has an eX- ternal annular flange 2li of the same diameter as and adapted to engage the open end 2| of member P1, the cylindrical portion 22 between the ange 2B and end I9 being much shorter than the portion 23 on the opposite side of said flange.

This type of plunger operates in the same man nervand serves the same purpose as the plunger composed of members P and P. Initially, portion 23 is inserted in the bore 2li of member Pi with the near side of flange 2b engaging end ZI of member P1, after which the two members are inserted in cap C with end I9 engaging end 8 of the cap. The cap is then screwed onto body A until end I8 of member P2 engages the tail II of tube T and successive dispensing operations may be effected until further movement of the cap is prevented by engagement of its end with the adjacent end of body A.

At such point the cap is removed and member P2 is reversed on member Pr with the portion 22 seating in bore 2li of member Pi and the flange 20 is engaged with end 2l oi member P1. The reversed plunger is then replaced in the cap, the cap is replaced on the body, and further dispensing operations may be continued until the 'cap again engages the end of body A or until such time as the tube T has been completely collapsed and exhausted of its contents.

The form of plunger shown in Fig. 9 differs from that shown in Fig. 8 principally in the form of the reversible extension member Pi which has an external flange 25 and narrow cylindrical portions 26 and 21 on opposite sides of iiange 25 and adapted to selectively seat in bore 24' of member P3. Also a stem 23 adapted to be enclosed by member Pa when portion 2l is seated in bore 2t and a conical portion 29 engages the tail II of tube T orif desirable, a disc 3G interposed-between portion29 and the tail of the tube so that theapices of the cone 23 and stem 28 will frictionlessly engage one side of the disc while the opposite flat side of the disc will vbear against the tail of the tube T; When reversed in position,V portion 2t of member Pi seats in bore 24v of member P3 and stem 28 applies pressure through disc 30 tothe tail of tube T.

The inner surface of end 8 of cap C is of shallow conical form so that the apex of the cone will engage head 9 of member P and thereby minimize the friction between the cap and the plunger.

Gther than with respect to minor and specific details, the plungers are similar in a broad sense and also in function.

Essentially, I have provided and have herein disclosed a holder and dispenser which in all cases, the extensibility and elongation of the plunger after collapse of the tubes T to approximately one half of the maximum extent, I axnfenabled to completely collapse the tube, and by means or the forms of plunger shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the same result is accomplished by re- `versing the plunger members following' the parelongating the plunger members without changing the operative range of the operating cap.

I claim:

l. A dispenser for paste-like materials from original collapsible tubes comprising: a cylindrical body arranged to receive a tube of material at an end thereof and to prevent removal of the tube from the other end Vthereof While lpermitting discharge of the contained material, a plunger mountedon and for movement longitudinally in said body against the'inner end'of the tube, and a Acap adjustable longitudinally von the bodyA engaging and for applying pressure to said plunger and through the plunger to and for collapsing said tube and discharging the contents thereof for use as the cap is moved on the body, said plunger having separable portions slidable in the bore of said body and normally nested one Within the other to partly collapse the tube and when expanded the two parts of the plunger are arranged end-to-end, tandem fashion, and are effective for completely collapsing said tube and exhausting the contents thereof.

2. Ay dispenser for paste-like materials from original collapsible tubes comprising: a cylindrical body arranged to receive a tube of ma-f4 terial at an end thereof and to prevent removal of the tube from the other end thereof While permitting discharge of the contained material, a plunger mounted on and for movement longif tudinally in said body against the inner end of the tube, and a cap adjustable longitudinally on the body engaging and for applying pressure to said plunger and through the plunger to and for collapsing said tube and discharging the contents thereof for use as the cap is moved on the body, said plunger including a pair of members normally disposed relatively for an initial rangey of effectiveness to partly collapse said tube and dispense its contents and When said plunger members are arranged in end-to-end tandem l original collapsible tubes comprising: a cyliri# drical body arranged to receive a tube of ma'- terial at an end thereof and to prevent removal of the tube from the other end thereof While i permitting discharge of the contained material,

a plunger mounted on and for movement longi'- Y tudinally in said body against the inner end of the tube, and a cap adjustable longitudinally on the body engaging and for applying pressure to said plunger and through the plunger to and for collapsing said tube and discharging the contents thereof for use as the cap is moved on the body, said plunger including a pair of longitudinal members together confined between a portion of the cap and the inner end of the tube of material whereby the thrust of the cap and plunger in successive dispensing operations progressively collapses and compacts the inner end of the tube as the contained material is displaced therefrom and compresses the exhausted portion of the tube progressively as the plunger `is"advanced In the-body, said plunger members when rearranged in tandem fashion after partial collapse of said tube being effective to completely collapse said tube.

4. A dispenser for pastes, creams and the like y comprising a cylindrical body arranged to -operatively support a collapsible tube of dispensable material, a cap threaded onto said body, and an elongatable'plunger borne'by said cap for applying pressure to said tube as the cap'is screwed onto said body and the tube is cor- `respondingly collapsed and its contents exhausted, said plunger composed of av pair of members which are of substantially equal length and concentrically intertted and so constructed thatthey can be axially relatively adjusted from Ya position of minimum axial length, with their res'pective ends in juxtaposition, in which said plunger is operative to partially collapse and exhaust the contents of the tube, to a position of maximum length, with the two members arranged in tandem, end-to-end fashion, in which s aid plunger is eiective for completely collapsing and exhausting the contentsof the tube.

5. A dispenser for pastes, creams and the like comprising aV cylindrical body arranged to op eratively support a collapsible tube of dispensable material, a cap threaded onto said body. and an elongatable plunger borne by Ysaid cap for applying pressure to said tube as the cap is screwed onto said body and the tube is' correspondingly collapsed and its contents exhausted, said plunger composed of a pair of memberswhich are of substantially equal length and concentrically interfitted and so constructed that they can be axiallyrelatively adjusted from a position of minimum axial length, with their respective ends in juxtaposition, in which said plunger is operative to partially collapse and exhaust the contents of the tube, to a position of maximum length, with the two members arranged in tandem, end-to-end fashion, in which said plunger is effective for completely collapsing and exhausting the contents of the tube, the cap being arranged for the same extent of movement on the body when the plunger members are initially arranged or rearranged for elongation of the plunger.

6. A dispenser for pastes, creams and the like comprising a cylindrical body arranged to operatively support a collapsible tube of dispens able material, a cap threaded onto said body, and an elongatable plunger borne by said cap for applying pressure to said tube as the cap is screwed onto said body and the tube is correspondingly collapsed and its contents exhausted, said plunger composed of relatively adjustable members which when initially arranged is operative to partially collapse and exhaust the contents of the tube and when rearranged and elongated is eiective for completely collapsing and exhausting the contents of the tube, one of said plunger members having a pair of longitudinal ribs and the other plunger member having a pair of flutes adapted for engagement for an initial arrangement of said members, and means on the fluted members for endwise engagement with the ribs on the other plunger member when said plunger members are rearranged for increasing the effective length of the plunger.

7. A dispenser for pastes, creams and the like comprising a cylindrical body arranged to operatively support a collapsible tube of dispensable material, a cap threaded onto said body, and an elongatable plunger borne by said cap for applying pressure to said tube as thecap is screwed onto said body and the tube is correspondingly collapsed and its contents exhausted, said plunger including a pair of normally nested members formed with cooperating portions whereby said members maybe arranged tandem fashion for increasing the effective length of the plunger.

8. In a deviceof the character described, a cylinder arranged for supporting a collapsible tube of dispensable material, a plunger slidable in said cylinder and including a pair of normally nested members affording a plunger of minimum length and when arranged tandem fashion affording a plunger of maximum length, and an operating member adjustable on the cylinder for applying pressure through the plunger to and for collapsing the tube and dispensing its contents as the plunger is progressively advanced in successive operations in the cylinder, said operating member and said cylinder being arranged to limit the movement of the operating member and the plunger at a point in advance of complete collapse and evacuation of the tube and operative for complete collapse and evacuation of the tube when the plunger meinbers are arranged in tandem fashion.

9. In a device of the character described, a cylinder arranged for supporting a collapsible tube of dispensable material, a plunger slidable in said cylinder and embodying means for contracting and expanding the plunger to a minimum and maximum effective length, and an 0perating member adjustable on the cylinder for applying pressure through the plunger to and for collapsing the tube and dispensing its contents as the plunger is progressively advanced in successive operations in the cylinder, said plunger including telescoping members normally contracted to nested positions for initially collapsing the tube, and means for supporting said members so that when expanded to end-to-end positions, tandem fashion, said plunger will be elongated for completing collapse of the tube and exhaust of its contents.

10. In a device of the character described, a cylinder arranged for supporting a collapsible tube of dispensable material, a two member plunger slidable in said cylinder with its members formed for contracting the plunger when the members are nested and expanding the plunger to a maximum effective length when its members are arranged end to end tandem fashion and an operating member adjustable on the cylinder for applying pressure through the plunger to and for collapsing the tube and dispensing its contents as the plunger is progressively advanced in successive operations in the cylinder.

ERNEST W. SWAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,249,957 Hess Dec. 11, 1917 1,522,975 Phillips Jan. 13, 1925 1,680,462 Lesquendieu Aug. 14, 1928 2,052,296 Huntley Aug. 25, 1936 2,199,877 Cervera May 7, 1940 

